Board games have evolved once again. The ancient games of Chess and the more modern games of Monopoly have nothing when it comes to the games that the people in Taiwan now play. All across the island, board game cafes and board games old and new are becoming more and more popular.
Taipei is booming with technology and people and now board games. A new EU-themed Taiwanese board game is featuring a free trail in the Taipei International Book Exhibition this week. The game is officially recognized by the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) and trials end tomorrow.
“Developed in cooperation with the EETO, the game helps players get acquainted with the EU’s political conditions, parties and legislative initiatives,” according to Taipei Times.
The exhibition is holding a one trial play per day of “European Union — the Board Game” at the EU Pavilion in the book fair which is taking place at Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition. It is also appearing in the Essen Spiel, European game fair, in order to promote Taiwanese games.
I think it is incredible to see board games become so global and recognized. Taiwan is a true inspiration for board games and community, especially with a game like this. People can know deal their knowledge in the EU and expand their horizons.
EETO Director Frederic Laplanche said: “This will be a very fun way to reinvent the European Union for all players of this new game.”
The board game trend in Taiwan started in 2008. This was due to a local pub
lishing company which released Chinese-language versions of many modern games such as Citadels (a card-building game about bluffing and diplomacy). With the increase of native-language -board games students and other young people gobbled it up like cake. The awareness of exhibits like the Taipei International Book Exhibition have increasing popularity and support.
“The trend has also dovetailed with teachers’ increasing in-class use of games such as Scrabble for English, and number games for math,” said Lo Hsiao-chai a board game blogger.
This is a very electronic and technological world, we find ourselves heads hung and thumbs ready. I am so happy to see the emergence of more board games and board game cafes around the world. According to Lo Hsiao-Chai, parents steer their children toward board games to prevent them from becoming obsessed with electronic ones.
I think this is such a valid and wonderful idea. Some may argue that steering kids’ attentions from games to a different media of game would be counterproductive/pointless. However, the physical board game world is a lot more engaging and applicable to life than the digital world. Board games offer social skills, communication, strategy and other such learning opportunities that apps and video games just can’t.
“Board games have tremendous educational value, as more and more gaming aficionados are starting to realize. Indeed, the government has found it useful to promote historical knowledge via board games. Academia Historica, which is responsible for studying and preserving ROC historical documents, has sponsored four board games since 2009,” according to Taiwan Today. It goes to show, not just the nerdy ones and parents are picking up on the value of board games!
In 2001 which was the centennial of the ROC, the Academia Historica launched 1911 Revolution of China, a board game. The goal was to familiarize younger generations with the momentous events surrounding the origins of its nation.
Taiwan has opened its doors in over 60 areas on the island and board game cafes are still popping up.
Board games in the Taiwan market are classified by either European-style or American. Similar conventions pop up among games made in these regions. Which is why board games in English are the most popular, other regions don’t focus their production on board games the same way English speaking countries do. European games are likely played by 3 to 6 people and incorporate strategy focus whereas American games are one on one or revolve around luck. to incorporate three to six players, with a focus on strategy deployment in a friendly race of scoring points.
In addition to the education aspect of board games, people are attracted to the social aspect and artist side of the sport. “Not only are the games and cards exquisitely illustrated, even the meeples that stand for the players are aesthetically pleasing.”
In this age of apps I am thrilled to see such obscure, under rated places like Taiwan take part in the quality of board games.
Further reading LINKS:
http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-taiwan-games-20150127-story.html
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/02/10/2003611250
http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xitem=182981&CtNode=427
http://laorencha.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/game-day-board-game-cafes-in-taipei.html
http://archive.wired.com/geekdad/2012/09/tabletop-games-in-taiwan/
February 15, 2015
Tabletop News 